Shopping for Your Purpose

In case you keep asking yourself what’s your purpose, you are not alone. I've been told by a few clients, friends, and students that they don't know what to do next, what their purpose is, or which career to pursue.

My first encouragement is to be fine with not knowing. I have changed careers a few times in my life, and I’m still growing, learning, and stepping more into my purpose each day. Then, I recommend that you consider meditating, and doing a writing exercise of your ideal day, highlighting what stands out to you from it.

The other suggestion is something I heard from Elizabeth Gilbert, to ask what you are curious about, and to follow it. If you have many passions, I’d suggest going into another meditation, and picking just one or two passions to follow, at least at first.

I recently decided to add another exercise to the pursuit of one’s purpose. Go shopping, without actually purchasing anything. When my parents were visiting, we went to a few kitchenware stores, and it was noticeable how my mother would light up inside those stores. She loves cooking, and together with my father, has created a 31-year café business that allows her to express some of her passion. I thought about which stores have the same effect on me. I assure you that, perhaps unfortunately, kitchenware stores do not!

I do, though, light up at art supplies stores, and at bookstores, more specifically writers, self-help, self-growth, business and entrepreneurship sections of the bookstores, to name a few since my interests keep evolving as I evolve. As I learn to pay attention to how I feel in any situation, I realized that I also feel really joyful when attending writing courses, writing and publishing expos, and any writers’ events.

My suggestion, if you are still searching for your purpose, is for you to do a "light up test” by visiting a shopping mall or shopping strip in your area and:

• Before going in, set an intention to connect with how you feel in each store;
• Walk into each store aware of your surroundings;
• Be aware if the store makes you feel joyful, energized, excited, depressed, indifferent, etc.;
• Make note of the ones that bring you the greatest joy, and pay attention to all the clues.

When you feel your whole being light up, investigate it further: are there clues in other areas of your life that could confirm that this is your purpose?

If you are not already pursuing it, start researching how you could slowly incorporate it into your life: develop it as a hobby in your spare time, launch a part time business, volunteer to gain experience, take a course to develop those skills, or anything else that will help you get closer to living your purpose.

If going to a shopping strip is not an option, go to a bookstore, and spend time in every section, to sense which one catches your attention the most. You could find out a lot about you, and what to pursue next, by simply being present at the bookstore.

Finally, if you are still not convinced, check if there is any part of you that is resisting knowing, or is afraid it could be too difficult to pursue. Then, commit to completely surrendering and hearing the messages that are within you. Here is a Tweet I posted during the #Spiritchat about purpose, and I suggest that you keep it in mind and enjoy the ride: “True purpose doesn't have to be grandiose. It can simply be - to be a source of love.” And I’d add, with whatever you choose to do.

If you need help figuring it out, check out if a laser coaching session with me would help.